Clenchwarton Primary pupils followed in a teacher’s footsteps, when Michelle Ryan inspired them to join her at the Great East Anglia Run (GEAR) to raise more than £630 for a good cause.

Mrs Ryan, who is our Year 4 Teacher, was running to raise money for the East Anglia Air Ambulance (EAAA), along with more than 30 children from the school, who were keen to do their bit for the charity.

Younger children were accompanied by adults in the Mini GEAR, while those from Years 3 to 6 ran on their own.

“The children covered 1.9km, and they said they loved running with lots of people cheering around them,” said Mrs Ryan, who was taking part for the fourth time, and completed the course in a personal best of under one hour four minutes.

“A few of the children I started running with were really engaged with the music and the warm up to get everyone in the mood to run. There was a lot of excitement on the starting line!

“The total is currently at £634 and will go directly to the EAAA. They will use this for life-saving resources, such as equipment, fuel for the air ambulance, staffing, and training.”

Our school, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, regularly fundraises for the EAAA.

“My last three classes have all been involved in organising cakes on a cake sale to raise money for the EAAA,” continued Mrs Ryan. “The children take responsibility for it, which opens up ideas and discussions about preparation, organisation skills before and on the day, and selling skills, including using their maths facts to take payment and give change.

“I fully believe the children in the rest of the school now look forward to joining my class, knowing they will be learning about the EAAA throughout the year and raising money for them.

“The awareness and money raised by the school community obviously helps people in the local community and Norfolk area in emergency situations, and long may it continue.”

There are plans for pupils and staff to take part in GEAR again next year for the charity.

“I am planning to run again next year, obviously to raise more for the EAAA, but hope to make more momentum in school by encouraging more children to take part in a bigger school team, and encouraging staff to create a staff team for 2027,” added Mrs Ryan.

“I would like to say that I have done this completely off my own back, as a teacher wanting to inspire children. It has not been linked to a Trust or school initiative. I would, however, like to see this sort of thing continue to thrive in schools, and to become more of a normal practice within education, not an add-on.

“It really means a great deal to raise money and awareness for such a great charity.”